​February ObjectivesWe are into the second month of training! It’s gonna get tougher from here on out. Our long runs become more difficult and as hilly as possible to prepare us for ‘The Valley of 1000 Hills’. Do not be fooled by the name ‘the down’ run, there is still a lot of climbing involved when running from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. If it wasn’t for the aches and pains in your bones and joints, you probably wouldn’t even realize that you’re running more down’s than up’s. We need to build up as much strength as possible to handle the climbs as well as the descents.For those of you who have yet to qualify, your number one goal this month will be just that. You need to focus on qualifying at the Peninsula Marathon on the 17th. That is your sole focus right now. There is a league race the week before Peninsula. For those of us already qualified, the 30km Tygeberg ‘Big Momma’ is perfect to do before the marathon but we just have to take both races easy. Chances of being able to race both (or even one) to your full capabilities and getting right back onto the program afterwards are pretty slim. You’re gonna be putting your body through a lot these next few months. Be good to it. If you don’t have to push yourself to your limit, don’t. It’s not gonna do you any good in the long run (excuse the pun).Total mileage for February (1st Feb – 5th March) should be around 350km’s. This would include 1 standard marathon (Peninsula 17th of Feb) and 1 ultra-marathon distance (50km Club run on the 5th March).Week 1: approx.. 55km’sWeek 2: approx.. 71km’sWeek 3: approx.: 78km’sWeek 4: approx.. 56km’sWeek 5: approx.. 91km’sDates to saveFebruary 21st – Peninsula MarathonMarch 5th – Club Run 50kmMarch 26th – 56km OMTOM